Tying device for body parts

ABSTRACT

A constriction device for limiting circulation of blood, fluids and other materials to limbs and other appendages. Compressive force can be applied to the limb or other appendage through the device&#39;s band which is held in place by the action of a clamping member. Compressive force may be variably or immediately released. The device is convenient to use and may be controlled with one hand leaving the other hand free to perform other tasks.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is related generally to constriction devices and, moreparticularly, to tourniquet-type devices for arresting flow of blood,fluids and other materials in a limb or other appendage by compression.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a constriction device particularly useful tomedical and other health-related professions for limiting circulation ofblood, fluids and other materials to limbs and other appendages. Theinvention includes a lock housing, a bottom wall, center wall, twolateral walls, a covering wall on the upper side, and an elasticconstriction band that is attached at one end to the lock housing bymeans of an engaging shoe. The free end of the band is guided throughthe lock housing between the bottom wall and the center wall forming aloop in the band. A clamping member swivelably supported in the lockhousing is provided to clamp the band between a plate-like section ofthe clamping member and the center wall.

The invention further includes an actuation part mounted on the end ofthe clamping member plate-like section furthest from the loop. Theactuation part extends approximately across the width of the plate-likesection of the clamping member at its point of attachment and has aninsertion opening for the free end of the band. The clamping member maybe supported in corresponding holes of the lateral walls and/or on astrip which is provided on the bottom wall, by means of lateral axlesections.

A constriction device of this type is purportedly known from DE 36 02778 A1. With this known device only the upper side of the lock housingis provided above the clamping member to act as a support when fasteningthe band. The actuation part used to loosen the loop protrudes forwardat the lock housing. This embodiment is disadvantageous with regard toease of handling.

Another constriction device is purportedly known from DE 38 40 007 A1.The band is provided with an engaging shoe on one side which engages ina lock housing in a coupling manner. The other end of the band is guidedover the bottom part of the lock housing by forming a loop, and isfastened against the bottom with a clamp lever. No further informationis given on the design and use of the clamp lever.

Another constriction device is specified in DE 38 39 794. This deviceprimarily describes the recessed positions in the lateral housing wallswhich mate with the axle pins of the swivelably supported clamp lever.Further information in this case regarding the clamping mechanism isalso not provided.

Other prior art constriction devices are illustrated in EP 0 196 646 A2,DE 34 31 728 A1, DE 25 36 620 C2, DE 25 41 433 C2, DE 33 14 099 C2 andDE 36 24 112 A1. These constriction devices are less than satisfactorybecause they are relatively costly, (particularly as a result of theclamping devices), or because they are awkward and difficult to handle.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide a constriction deviceovercoming some of the problems and shortcomings of devices of the priorart.

One object of this invention is to provide a constriction device capableof applying continuous compressive force to a limb or other appendage,thus restriction the flow of blood, fluids and other matter.

Another object of this invention is to provide a constriction devicecapable of operation with one hand, and particularly with the thumb andforefinger of the hand.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a constriction devicecapable of gradual release of compressive force on a limb or otherappendage.

It is also an object of this invention is to provide a constrictiondevice capable of immediate and complete release of compressive force ona limb or other appendage.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a constrictiondevice which is lightweight and easily made of inexpensive materials.

These and other important objects will be apparent from the followingdescriptions and from the drawings, wherein:

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is a tourniquet-type device useful for, among otherthings, temporarily stopping bleeding or for arresting the circulationof blood by compression. For example, the device could be used to limitblood flow in a limb such as an arm or leg. The device is compact andcan be easily handled with one hand.

The device includes a lock housing having a center wall and a clampingmember having a plate-like section. The center wall is arranged as asupport over the clamping member plate-like section, parallel to abottom wall and fixed to the lock housing. A slight gap is formedbetween the center wall and clamping member when the clamping member isin a parallel position. The gap is larger than the thickness of theband.

The lock housing further includes a cover wall which is shorter than theplate-like section of the clamping member at the end of the lock housingfurthest from the loop. The invention further includes an actuation partattached to the end of the clamping member furthest from the loop. Theactuation part is bent toward the back and extends close to the side ofthe cover wall and, relative to the top of the cover wall, is flush orprotrudes slightly when in the clamp position.

As a result, the constriction device assumes not only a very compact,handy form, but it can also be operated more easily and more accurately,since pressure from the thumb on the actuation device is mainly exertedcentrally on the lock housing as it is held in the hand. A slow releasein an easy manner is thereby made possible, so that the operator doesnot need to concentrate excessively on the operation of the tying deviceand is not distracted from the services being provided to the patient,such as monitoring of measurement values. In addition, the design of theinvention is attractive and creates a favorable visual impression.

A particularly useful design of the lock housing can be achieved if theplate-like section of the clamping member, the actuation part and thelateral axle sections are formed as one part. Good lever action forclamping the band and for releasing it by means of the actuation partarises if the plate-like section extends across the length of the bottomwall or protrudes over the front side of the bottom wall facing theloop.

According to the invention, the end of the band may also be easilydisengaged from the lock housing by use of the operator's thumb. Thisdesirable result is made possible because the band is detachablyfastened at one end to the lock housing by an engaging tongue of anengaging shoe. The tongue is inserted in the lock housing and is snappedinto a recess of the cover wall. The tongue, and attached band, can bereleased by means of a press part arranged in the recess. This desirablearrangement permits the operator to disengage the band while holding thelock housing and without having to change hands.

The engaging shoe attached to one end of the band can be easily releasedfrom the lock housing because the tongue includes a spring portion whichbiases the shoe against the press part. Actuating the press part causesthe engaging shoe to easily slide forward against the spring forcedisengaging the band. Furthermore, the engaging tongue, after snappingin, always rests on the back wall of the recess without play, due to theinitial tension exerted by the spring force. When the engaging shoe ispressed down to be released, it slides back as a result of thepre-exerted tension and will not snap back in unintentionally.

Good tracking of the engaging shoe is achieved by having its undersiderest on the upper side of the center wall.

The compact shape of the lock housing is enhanced if the engaging shoehas a stop part which abuts that side of the lock housing which facesthe band loop. Preferably, the top edge of the engaging shoe is flushwith the upper side of the lock housing.

Preferably, the band may be removed from the device and replaced with adifferent band. To accomplish this desirable result, the stop partincludes an undercut groove on its bottom side. The inside width of theundercut groove corresponds to approximately twice the thickness of theband. The band is inserted into the undercut groove with its end foldedback and is wedged into the undercut groove. The wedging is enhanced ifthe end of the band includes a stiff band clamp. The band clamp preventsfraying, produces a wedging effect during traction, and also facilitatesthe intrusion of the band into the undercut groove.

Preferably, the side of the lock housing that faces the loop is angularto enhance engagement with the engaging shoe. It is also preferred thatthe engaging shoe include a rounded edge that protrudes toward the loop,which prevents folds of skin from being pulled into the band insertionopening.

Preferably, the side of the lock housing facing the band loop features aprojection which, when the engaging shoe is inserted, is pressed into arecess that is present on the facing side of the stop part and isprovided with an elastic element. Conversely, the back side of the lockhousing may include the recess with the elastic element, and the facingside of the stop part may include the projection. This arrangementfurther biases the engaging tongue of the engaging shoe against the lockhousing, further enhancing disengagement of the engaging shoe and bandfrom the lock housing when the press part is actuated.

Preferably, the elastic element has rubber elasticity or is constructedin the form of a flat spring.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exemplified embodiment of the constriction device inlongitudinal view.

FIG. 2 a top view of the constriction device. The engaging shoe is showndisengaged from the lock housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows an exemplified embodiment of a constriction device 10. FIG.1 shows lock housing 1, a band 2 formed into a loop 11 and led throughlock housing 1, a clamping member 3 positioned in and projecting beyondlock housing 1 and an engaging shoe 4 that is inserted in lockhousing 1. Band 2 is connected to the back side of engaging shoe 4 andmay be made of a material having elastic properties.

Lock housing 1 has a bottom wall 1.3. Rounded strip 1.4 extends acrossthe width of lock housing 1. Lock housing 1 further includes a coverwall 1.7, two lateral walls 1.5 (see FIG. 2), an opening 13 at the sidefacing loop 11 and an opening 15 at the side of lock housing 1, throughwhich band 2 can pass. End 23 of band 2 can be provided with aprotective edge member 25 (e.g., made of metal). A center wall 1.6 isarranged between the bottom wall 1.3 and the cover wall 1.7. The bottomside of center wall 1.7 faces the upper side of band 2 and contributesto the guidance of band 2 and forms a support against which band 2 isclamped.

In the present exemplified embodiment, the bottom wall 1.3, center wall1.6 and cover wall 1.7 are aligned parallel to each other. However, thisis not a necessary requirement for the operation of constriction device10. For example, center wall 1.6 can be aligned diagonally to bottomwall 1.3, in order to achieve a more tight or loose fastening effect onthe band 2.

The front end of bottom wall 1.3 (the end furthest from loop 11),protrudes further in the exemplified embodiment shown in FIG. 1 than thefront end of center wall 1.6. The front end of center wall 1.6,protrudes further than cover wall 1.7 at the upper side of the lockhousing 1.

Clamping member 3 has a plate-like section 3.4 positioned between bottomwall 1.3 and center wall 1.6, over which band 2 is guided. The insidewidth between the plate-like section 3.4. (which is in a center pivotingposition), and the underside of center wall 1.6, is sufficiently wide topermit easy passage of band 2, yet sufficiently narrow so that a goodfastening effect is accomplished when clamping member 3 is pivoted.Preferably, the gap is slightly larger than the thickness of band 2.

An actuation part 3.1 which is led upward and bent toward the back oflock housing 1 and loop 11 is attached to the front end of clampingmember plate-like section 3.4. Actuation part 3.1 is turned toward loop11. Actuation part 3.1 spans the width of clamping member 3 at the pointof attachment, and is preferably integral with clamping memberplate-like section 3.4. Because of the variably projecting bottom wall1.3, the center wall 1.6, the cover wall 1.7 and the actuation part 3.1can extend in a continuous curve from the front end of clamping memberplate-like section 3.4 toward the back of the lock housing 1 and loop11. The end of the actuation part 3.1 borders near the front side of thecover wall 1.7 and protrudes over its upper side so that it can bepressed down easily to release the clamped band 2. In alternativeembodiments, actuation part 3.1 may be designed to project no furtherthan the upper side of cover wall 1.7.

An axle section 3.3 protrudes on each longitudinal side of theplate-like section 3.4 of clamping member 3, inserting into acorresponding recess in each side wall 1.5 of lock housing 1.Preferably, the axle sections 3.3 have a single piece lug shape form onthe clamping member plate-like section 3.4.

If strip 1.4 is provided on the bottom wall 1.3 of lock housing 1, it issufficient to have the recesses of the sidewalls designed longitudinallyslotted for the lugs, preventing a movement of clamping member 3 upwardin the transverse and longitudinal direction. Strip 1.4 then aloneserves to pivot clamping member 3 and to support it from below. If strip1.4 or an appropriate support is not provided, the recesses in the sidewalls must be designed as corresponding bore holes, in the form ofblind-end or continuous holes.

If lateral walls 1.5 are formed into lock housing 1, the clamping member3 can be pressed into lock housing 1 and can be snapped or locked bymeans of axle sections 3.3 into the recesses of lateral walls 1.5. Insuch embodiment, lateral walls 1.5 and/or clamping member 3 are made offlexible material such as synthetics. For detachment of clamping member3.3, a tool can be provided that is guided through openings 13 or 15along the bottom wall 1.3, led past lateral walls 1.5 contacting theaxle sections 3.3.

Another variation includes making lateral walls 1.5 detachable, so thatthey can be emplaced when clamping member 3 is pushed into lock housing1.

As shown in FIG. 2, engaging shoe 4 features an engaging tongue 4.1 anda stop part 4.3 that encompasses band 2. Engaging shoe 4 is intended tobe a recess formed in lock housing 1 by center wall 1.6 and cover wall1.7. If engaging shoe 4 is pushed in, stop part 4.3 comes to restagainst the back side of lock housing 1 which faces loop 11 (refer toFIG. 1). Engaging tongue 4.1 may be made of a flexible resilientmaterial.

The back side of the lock housing 1 expediently features a projection1.9. Projection 1.9 can be form fitting with recess 21 and elasticelement 4.2 which is disposed in recess 21. If engaging shoe 4 iscompletely pushed in, projection 1.9 pushes against elastic element 4.2.These components bias engaging shoe 4 away from lock housing 1 aiding indisengagement of band 2 from lock housing 1. This arrangement isparticularly desirable if the engaging tongue 4.1 does not include aspring portion 17.

At present, elastic element 4.2 fills recess 21 and is designed withrubber elasticity. A flat spring or a similar element, which can be inor on recess 21, can also carry out a similar function. It is understoodthat elastic element 4.2 can be arranged at the backside of lock housing1 and the projection 1.9 provided at stop part 4.3. It is important thatengaging shoe 4 be pushed back reliably by the effect of the elasticelement 4.2 and the counter element 1.9 pushing against it when engagingtongue 4.1 is pushed in, in order to avoid unintentional engagement ofthe engaging tongue 4.1 and lock housing 1.

Engaging tongue 4.1 snaps into a recess in cover wall 1.7 when engagingshoe 4 is pushed into lock housing 1. Engaging tongue 4.1 rests on astop wall of press part 1.8 which prevents disengagement of engagingshoe 4 from lock housing 1 when traction load is placed on band 2.Elastic engaging tongue 4.1 can be pushed in and engaging shoe 4disengaged by means of press part 1.8 which is arranged in the recessand which projects above the upper side of cover wall 1.7. Inalternative embodiments, press part 1.8 may be designed to project nofurther than the upper side of cover wall 1.7.

In order to enable easy release of engagement shoe 4 under tractionload, a rounded section, which ensures easy sliding when press part 1.8is pressed down, is provided on the upper side of engaging tongue 4.1.The front side of engaging shoe 4 can easily move forward toward stoppart 1.5 if the engaging shoe 4 is designed to be elastic, while theback side of the engaging tongue 4.1 slides past the stop wall andcauses a slight advance of the engaging shoe 4.1. Of course, in thiscase the stop part cannot abut firmly against the lock housing. As soonas engaging tongue 4.1 is pushed down all the way by depressing presspart 1.8, the engaging shoe can slide back, supported by the elasticeffect.

If the engaging shoe 4 is pushed in, it comes to rest with its bottomside on the top side of the center wall 1.6. To guide the engaging shoe4, lateral guides (not shown) alone can be provided as alternatives. Theupper side of the stop part 4.3 is aligned with the top side of thecover wall 1.7.

The side of lock housing 1 facing loop 11 is beveled toward the top andthe bottom, whereby the edge of those angled bevels is situated betweenthe recess for engaging shoe 4 and opening 13 for the free end of band2. The bevel points toward loop 11. Any pinching of skin is virtuallyimpossible because the rounded edge can rest on the limb or otherappendage.

Stop part 4.3 preferably features, at its bottom side, an undercutgroove 23, such that band 2 can be fastened into it. Band 2 is inserted,with its end folded back into the undercut groove 23. To accommodateband 2, the width of groove 23 is equivalent to about twice thethickness of band 2. If band 2 is pulled, it attempts to bulge out andis thereby firmly clamped. This clamping effect is enhanced if there isa stiff band clamp at the end of the band. Band 2, when loosened, can beeasily detached from stop part 4.3, so that an exchange of band 2 ispossible without the loss of the engaging shoe 4.

In operation, loop 11 of band 2 is placed around an arm or otherappendage. End 23 of band 2 is pulled until the appropriate amount ofcompression is placed on the limb. As band 2 is tightened, a force isexerted in the direction of arrow 27, a vector of which functions tourge that portion of clamping member 3 closest to loop 11 leftward (asviewed in FIG. 1). In response, the portion of clamping member 3furthest from loop 11 moves rightward (also as viewed in FIG. 1)clamping band 2 between clamping member 3 and center wall 1.6. Tointensify the clamping effect, the bottom wall 1.3 can be shorter at theloop 11 side than the plate-like section 3.4. TO avoid any sliding inthe clamping position, the upper side of the clamping member plate-likesection 3.4 and/or the underside of the center wall 1.6 can be roughenedor grooved.

Band 2 may be gradually released by depressing actuation part 3.1 withthe operator's thumb. Depressing actuation part 3.1 moves that portionof clamping member 3 furthest from loop 11 leftward releasing theclamping force on band 2 permitting rapid or gradual release ofcompressive force exerted by band 2.

Band 2 may be immediately disengaged by depressing press part 1.8. Presspart 1.8 depresses tongue 4.1 disengaging tongue 4.1 from the stop wall.Elastic element 4.2 biases stop member 4.3 away from lock housing 1.Traction force on band 2 fully disengages engagement shoe 4.3 from lockhousing 1.

Overall, the constriction device features a handy, easy to operatedesign. It can be held easily in one hand because of its compactconstruction. Compressive force exerted by band 2 can be removedimmediately or gradually through use of the operator's thumb. Thisadvantageous and novel design permits the operator to better tend to theneeds of the patient or other subject.

While the principles of this invention have been described in connectionwith specific embodiments, it should be understood clearly that thesedescriptions are made only by way of example and are not intended tolimit the scope of the invention.

What is claimed:
 1. A constriction device for limiting circulation ofblood, fluids and other materials to limbs and other appendagescomprising:a lock housing having bottom, center and cover walls, thecenter wall having a first side facing the bottom wall and a second sidefacing the cover wall, the bottom wall and the center wall first sideforming a band-opening therebetween and the center wall second side andcover wall forming a recess therebetween for receiving an engaging shoe;an elongate band slideably positioned within the band-opening, theelongate band having a first and second end; an engaging shoe attachedto the band first end having a main portion and an engaging tongueprotruding therefrom for holding the shoe in engagement with thehousing; and a clamping member extending in and along the band-openingand being mounted to pivot about a pivot point, the clamping memberhaving: (a) a first end for engaging the loop, (b) a second end forclamping the band against the center wall, and (c) an actuation partattached to the second end for variably moving the second end away fromthe center wall; and actuation means secured with respect to the coverwall for detachably engaging the shoe from the housing;wherebycompressive force may be continuously applied to the limb through theband by tightening the loop around the limb thereby causing the clampingmember first end to pivot toward the bottom wall and the clamping membersecond end to pivot toward the center wall to clamp the band between theclamping member second end and center wall and, conversely, compressiveforce may be variably relieved by depressing the actuation part therebymoving the clamping member second end away from the center wallrelieving the clamping force holding the band against the center walland whereby the band can be removably secured to the housing.
 2. Theinvention of claim 1 wherein the actuation part is curved and has an endfacing the loop.
 3. The invention of claim 1 wherein the actuation partprotrudes slightly beyond the housing when the band is clamped.
 4. Theinvention of claim 1 wherein the actuation part extends acrossapproximately the width of the clamping member.
 5. The invention ofclaim 1 wherein the actuation part includes an opening for passage ofthe band.
 6. The invention of claim 1 wherein the actuation part andclamping member are formed as one piece.
 7. The invention of claim 1wherein the clamping member extends over the length of the bottom wall.8. The invention of claim 1 wherein the actuation means comprises:anopening formed in the cover wall; and a press part movably positioned inthe opening and projecting into the recess for detachably engaging theshoe from the housing.
 9. The invention of claim 8 wherein the presspart protrudes slightly beyond the cover wall.
 10. The invention ofclaim 1 wherein the engaging shoe has a bottom side which rests on thecenter wall second side.
 11. The invention of claim 1 further includingmeans for biasing the shoe against the housing.
 12. The invention ofclaim 11 wherein the biasing means comprises:one of the housing and theshoe having a projection facing the other of the housing and the shoe;and the other of the housing and the shoe having a resilient element forengaging the projection;whereby the shoe is biased against the housingwhen the shoe is inserted into the recess.
 13. The invention of claim 1wherein the shoe has a stop part which rests against the housing whenthe shoe is inserted into the recess.
 14. The invention of claim 13wherein the stop part has a top surface which projects no further thanthe housing.
 15. The invention of claim 1 wherein the shoe has a bottomsurface and an undercut groove formed therein for receiving the bandfirst end, the groove having an inside width approximately equivalent totwice the thickness of the band.
 16. The invention of claim 15 whereinthe band first end is inserted in the groove and is folded back clampingthe band in place against the shoe.
 17. The invention of claim 16further including an edge member attached to the band first end.
 18. Theinvention of claim 1 wherein the housing facing the loop is beveled suchthat the housing between the opening and recess has a rounded edgefacing the loop.
 19. A constriction device for limiting circulation ofblood, fluids and other materials to limbs and other appendagescomprising:a lock housing having opposed bottom and center walls and aband-opening formed therebetween; an elongate band slideably positionedwithin the band-opening, the elongate band having: (a) a first endattached to the housing to form a loop for receiving a limb or otherappendage, and (b) a free second end; and a clamping member extending inand along the band-opening and being pivotable about a pivot point, theclamping member having: (a) a first end for engaging the loop, (b) asecond end for clamping the band against the center wall, (c) anactuation part attached to the second end for variably moving the secondend away from the center wall, and (d) a pair of opposed sides; a pairof opposed lock housing sidewalls, each having a portion facing theband-opening and a recess formed in each such sidewall portion, therecesses being coaxial with one another; an axle section projecting fromeach of the opposed clamping member sidewalls, each axle section beingreceived in a separate recess for pivotally supporting the clampingmember; and a strip secured to the bottom wall for pivotally supportingthe clamping member,whereby compressive force may be continuouslyapplied to the limb through the band by tightening the loop around thelimb thereby causing the clamping member first end to pivot toward thebottom wall and the clamping member second end to pivot toward thecenter wall to clamp the band between the clamping member second end andcenter wall and, conversely, compressive force may be variably relievedby depressing the actuation part thereby moving the clamping membersecond end away from the center wall relieving the clamping forceholding the band against the center wall.
 20. The invention of claim 19wherein the actuation part includes an opening for passage of the band.21. The invention of claim 19 wherein the clamping member extends overthe length of the bottom wall.